Pop 1: only example ever graded by AFA in 24 years.  

In the Summer of 2022, a record was set for a Mego superhero figure when an AFA graded 8-inch Green Goblin (Pop 1) sold at auction for an astounding $76,700. That Green Goblin is considered the rarest find of Mego’s Marvel toys. Here we are pleased to present the rarest find of Mego’s DC toys: a newly discovered unreleased US carded Superman Magna-Heroes from 1979. 

A partnership in 1976 between Mego and Japanese toymaker Takara set the stage for Mego’s Magna-Heroes line. Mego’s idea was to combine the popular magnetic features seen in Micronauts toys with the recognizable images of four iconic superheroes: Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and the Incredible Hulk. But, by the late 1970’s it was clear the market was saturated with superhero toys. The prevailing theory is that this, combined with a declining interest in Micronauts, led to Mego’s decision to pull the plug on a Magna-Heroes release in the United States. Ultimately the Magna-Heroes toys were released overseas under GIG branding in France and Italy. They retailed on foreign card (and window box) packaging in each country’s native language. The Mego cards in english were never released in the United States and the one example we have seen from the Mego Museum was purported to be used as a Toy Fair sample.

Our offering is the only Mego Magna-Heroes Superman that is authenticated and graded by the industry leader AFA. It comes to us from an Australian consignor who tells us that the toy was a recent local find. It has a price tag sticker from Kaleidoscope Toys which was not a major retailer in Australia (we believe it was mom and pop shop). How they obtained the toy remains a mystery. What we do know is that the piece is all original, with no color touch-up or restoration of any kind. The color on the front of the unpunched card is vibrant, with no fading whatsoever. The reverse is a bright white, no yellowing. Imperfections come mostly in the form of creasing, but the overall display value is superb. The bubble is firmly attached to the card and is crystal clear, free of dents and cracks - well-deserving of its impressive “85” subgrade. The 7-inch magnetic Superman action figure within showcases an attractive sculpt, plastic cape, and iconic red, white, and blue colors. Outstanding! An AFA pop 1, with no other authenticated and graded, it’s safe to say that this unreleased Mego Superman on card is one of the most exciting action figures we’ve offered in our auctions. Freshly graded in August 2024.  Encapsulated by AFA (50, 50-85-75), #11801444